Z-axis flexible mounting structure and three-coordinate measuring machine

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of three-coordinate measuring devices, in particular to a Z-axis flexible mounting structure and a three-coordinate measuring machine. The Z-axis flexible installation structure comprises a piston rod, a fixing frame and a ball socket assembly. The first end of the piston rod is used for being connected with a Z-axis air cylinder. The second end of the piston rod is connected with the fixing frame; the ball socket assembly comprises a first piece and a second piece, the first piece is connected with the second end of the piston rod, the second piece is arranged on the fixing frame, one of the first piece and the second piece is provided with a convex part, the other of the first piece and the second piece is provided with a ball socket, the convex part is supported on the inner wall of the ball socket, and the first piece is connected with the second end of the piston rod. And the piston rod can swing relative to the fixing frame. When the Z shaft shakes due to interference force, the piston rod can swing along with the Z shaft due to the arrangement of the ball socket assembly, the Z shaft moves more smoothly in the vertical direction, and the clamping stagnation problem is not prone to occurring.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The utility model relates to three coordinate measurement technical field, concretely relates to a Z axis flexible mounting structure and three coordinate measuring machine. BACKGROUND

[0002] Three coordinate measuring machine is a kind of precision measuring equipment, for accurately determining the geometric characteristics of object in three-dimensional space, such as size, shape, angle and position parameter, it is widely used in manufacturing industry, automobile industry, aerospace etc. The Z axis of some three coordinate measuring machines is driven by cylinder, specifically, the cylinder body of cylinder is fixedly connected with Z axis, the piston rod of cylinder is matched in the piston cavity of cylinder body, and the other end is installed on the Z axis fixed frame, drives Z axis to move along piston rod in vertical direction by driving device.

[0003] However, since piston rod and Z axis fixed frame are fixedly connected, rigidity between structures is larger, when Z axis is interfered and piston rod deviates from coaxial, Z axis is prone to jam, not conducive to the smooth movement of Z axis in vertical direction, even lead to mechanical structure damage. UTILITY MODEL CONTENTS

[0004] The utility model mainly solves the problem that the Z axis of three coordinate measuring machine is prone to jam.

[0005] According to the first aspect, a Z axis flexible mounting structure is provided in an embodiment for three coordinate measuring machine, including piston rod, fixed frame and ball socket assembly, the first end of piston rod is used to be connected with the cylinder of Z axis;The second end of piston rod is connected with the fixed frame;Ball socket assembly, the ball socket assembly includes first piece and second piece, the second end of the piston rod is connected with the first piece, the second piece is arranged on the fixed frame, one of the first piece and the second piece is provided with convex part, the other is provided with ball socket, the convex part is supported on the inner wall of the ball socket, so that the piston rod can swing relative to the fixed frame.

[0006] In some embodiments, the first piece is provided with the convex part, the second piece is arranged on the fixed frame and is provided with the ball socket, the ball socket penetrates the second piece, the piston rod is located on the inner side of the ball socket and the convex part of the first piece is supported on the inner wall of the ball socket.

[0007] In some embodiments, the second piece can rotate in the plane perpendicular to the piston rod relative to the fixed frame.

[0008] In some embodiments, the Z-axis flexible mounting structure comprises a planar bearing arranged between the fixed frame and the second piece, the planar bearing comprising a first rotating disc, a rolling element and a second rotating disc, the rolling element being located between the first rotating disc and the second rotating disc to enable rotation of the first rotating disc relative to the second rotating disc.

[0009] In some embodiments, the Z-axis flexible mounting structure comprises a limiting piece located on a side of the first piece away from the second piece and fixedly connected with the piston rod to limit the convex part of the first piece within the ball socket of the second piece.

[0010] In some embodiments, the limiting piece comprises a first nut and a second nut, the first nut being threadedly connected with the piston rod, and the second nut being threadedly connected with the piston rod and located on a side of the first nut away from the first piece.

[0011] In some embodiments, the Z-axis flexible mounting structure comprises a flexible structure connected between the fixed frame and the second end of the piston rod, the first piece being connected with the piston rod through the flexible structure, and the flexible structure being used to flexibly connect the piston rod with the fixed frame.

[0012] In some embodiments, the flexible structure is provided with a first slot and a second slot, the first slot and the second slot being perpendicular to the axial direction of the piston rod and located on opposite first and second sides of the piston rod, respectively.

[0013] In some embodiments, the first slot and the second slot are in the shape of a transversely arranged T in cross section.

[0014] According to a second aspect, an embodiment provides a three-coordinate measuring machine, a piston rod and a fixed frame of which are mounted through the Z-axis flexible mounting structure according to any of the above embodiments.

[0015] According to the Z-axis flexible mounting structure of the above embodiments, when the Z-axis is shaken by an interference force, the ball socket assembly enables the piston rod to swing with the Z-axis, and the Z-axis moves more smoothly in the vertical direction and is less likely to be stuck. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a structural schematic view of an embodiment of the Z-axis flexible mounting structure of the present application;

[0017] Figure 2 FIG. 2 is a partial enlarged view of the Z-axis flexible mounting structure of the present application; Figure 1

[0018] ​Figure 3 For Figure 2 Cross-sectional view of the Z-axis flexible mounting structure;

[0019] Figure 4 Perspective view of an embodiment of the three-dimensional coordinate measuring instrument of the present application;

[0020] Figure 5 For Figure 4 Side view of the three-dimensional coordinate measuring instrument;

[0021] Figure 6 For Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the Z-axis driving structure of the three-dimensional coordinate measuring instrument.

[0022] Reference signs:

[0023] 1, piston rod; 2, fixed frame; 3, ball socket assembly; 31, first piece; 311, convex part; 32, second piece; 321, ball socket; 4, plane bearing; 41, first turntable; 42, rolling piece; 43, second turntable; 5, limiting piece; 51, first nut; 52, second nut; 6, flexible structure; 61, first groove; 62, second groove; 63, mounting section; 7, Z-axis; 8, measuring head; 9, Z-axis driving structure; 91, transmission belt; 92, clip; 93, fixed pulley; 94, driving wheel; 10, adapter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The present application will be further described in details through specific embodiments combined with the drawings. In different embodiments, similar elements are marked with similar element numbers. In the following embodiments, many details are described in order to make the present application better understood. However, those skilled in the art can easily recognize that some features can be omitted in different cases, or can be replaced by other elements, materials, methods. In some cases, some operations related to the present application are not shown or described in the specification, in order to avoid the core part of the present application being overwhelmed by too much description, and for those skilled in the art, it is not necessary to describe these related operations in detail according to the description in the specification and the general technical knowledge in the art.

[0025] In addition, the features, operations or characteristics described in the specification can be combined in any appropriate way to form various embodiments. At the same time, the steps or actions in the method description can also be sequentially adjusted or adjusted in a manner that is obvious to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the order in the specification and the drawings is only for the purpose of clearly describing a certain embodiment, and does not mean that it is the necessary order, unless otherwise stated that a certain order must be followed.

[0026] The serial numbers of components used herein, such as "first", "second", etc., are only used to distinguish the described objects, and do not have any sequence or technical meaning. The "connection" and "coupling" in the present application include direct and indirect connection (coupling) unless otherwise specified.

[0027] In a coordinate measuring machine, the Z-axis is generally fixedly connected with the fixed frame. This connection has large rigidity, and when the Z-axis shakes due to the action of an interference force, the piston rod is fixedly connected with the Z-axis fixed frame, and is prone to jamming.

[0028] To solve the above problems, a flexible structure can be arranged between the piston rod and the fixed frame to reduce the influence of the interference force, but the effect of this scheme is not good, and the problem of Z-axis jamming still exists. Therefore, the piston rod and the fixed frame can be connected through a ball socket assembly, so that the piston rod can freely swing relative to the fixed frame. When the Z-axis shakes, the piston rod can move with it, and the Z-axis is not prone to jamming.

[0029] Please refer to Figure 1 In an embodiment, a Z-axis flexible mounting structure for a coordinate measuring machine is provided, which includes a piston rod 1, a fixed frame 2 and a ball socket assembly 3.

[0030] The first end of the piston rod 1 is used to connect with the cylinder of the Z-axis 7. Specifically, a cylinder can be fixedly arranged inside the Z-axis 7 of the coordinate measuring machine, and the first end of the piston rod 1 is slidingly fitted in the cylinder. A driving mechanism can drive the Z-axis 7 to move in the vertical direction along the piston rod 1.

[0031] The second end of the piston rod 1 can be directly connected with the fixed frame 2, or the piston rod 1 is indirectly connected with the fixed frame 2. In this embodiment, the piston rod 1 is indirectly connected with the fixed frame 2. Specifically, the second end of the piston rod 1 is connected with a flexible structure 6, and is flexibly connected with the fixed frame 2 through the flexible structure 6. The flexible structure 6 can be a rod body that can deform. The fixed frame 2 is provided with a mounting hole, and the flexible structure 6 is assembled in the mounting hole and has a mounting section 63 protruding from the fixed frame 2.

[0032] Please refer to Figures 2-3 The ball socket assembly 3 includes a first piece 31 and a second piece 32. The first piece 31 is connected with the second end of the piston rod 1, and the second piece 32 is arranged on the fixed frame 2. Among the first piece 31 and the second piece 32, one is provided with a protrusion 311, and the other is provided with a ball socket 321. The protrusion 311 is supported on the inner wall of the ball socket 321 and can slide in the ball socket 321, so that the piston rod 1 can swing relative to the fixed frame 2. In some other embodiments, the ball socket 321 can also be supported on the outer wall of the protrusion 311 and can slide on the protrusion 311.

[0033] In a specific embodiment, please refer toFigure 3 The first piece 31 can be a movable block, which is sleeved on the outer periphery of the mounting segment 63 and fixed with the mounting segment 63. The lower side of the movable block is provided with a convex portion 311, and the outer peripheral surface of the convex portion 311 is an arc surface. The second piece 32 is a fixed block, which is arranged on the fixed frame 2. The fixed block is provided with a ball socket 321, which penetrates through the entire fixed block and is aligned with the mounting hole on the fixed frame 2. The flexible structure 6 passes through the movable block, the fixed block and the mounting hole in sequence.

[0034] The convex portion 311 on the lower side of the movable block is located in the ball socket 321 and can move in the ball socket 321. Since the flexible structure 6 is fixed with the movable block and the piston rod 1 is connected with the flexible structure 6, the flexible structure 6 and the piston rod 1 can swing relative to the fixed frame 2. When the Z-axis 7 shakes due to the interference force, the piston rod 1 can swing with the Z-axis 7 due to the arrangement of the ball socket assembly 3, and the movement of the Z-axis 7 along the piston rod 1 in the vertical direction is more smooth, and the problem of jamming is less likely to occur.

[0035] In other embodiments, the first piece is provided with a ball socket, and the second piece is provided with a convex portion. Specifically, the first piece can be fixedly connected to one side of the flexible structure 6 or the piston rod 1, and the opening of the ball socket is arranged downward. The second piece is arranged on the fixed frame 2, and the convex portion is upwardly protruding and located in the ball socket. In this embodiment, the first piece provided with the ball socket can move relative to the second piece provided with the convex portion. Since the piston rod 1 is fixedly connected with the first piece 31, when the Z-axis 7 shakes due to the interference force, the piston rod 1 can swing with the Z-axis 7, and the Z-axis is less likely to jam.

[0036] In some embodiments, the second piece 32 can rotate in a plane perpendicular to the piston rod 1 relative to the fixed frame 2. Specifically, the Z-axis flexible mounting structure further comprises a plane bearing 4 arranged between the fixed frame 2 and the second piece 32. The plane bearing 4 can comprise a first rotating disc 41, a rolling element 42 and a second rotating disc 43. The rolling element 42, such as a ball, is located between the first rotating disc 41 and the second rotating disc 43, so that the first rotating disc 41 can rotate relative to the second rotating disc 43.

[0037] In this embodiment, the piston rod 1 is arranged in the vertical direction, and the plane perpendicular to the piston rod 1 is a horizontal plane. By arranging the plane bearing 4, the piston rod 1 can rotate in the horizontal plane, so that the piston rod 1 has higher degrees of freedom. When the Z-axis 7 slightly deflects, the piston rod 1, the first piece 31 and the second piece 32 can rotate through the plane bearing 4, and the Z-axis 7 moves along the piston rod 1 more smoothly, and the phenomenon of jamming is less likely to occur.

[0038] In some embodiments, the Z-axis flexible mounting structure includes a limiting piece 5, which is located on the side of the first piece 31 away from the second piece 32 and is fixedly connected with the piston rod 1 to limit the convex part 311 of the first piece 31 within the ball socket 321 of the second piece 32. When the piston rod 1 is directly connected with the fixed frame 2, the limiting piece 5 is fixedly connected with the piston rod 1.

[0039] In the embodiment, the piston rod 1 is connected with the fixed frame 2 through the flexible structure 6, and correspondingly, the limiting piece 5 is arranged on the mounting section 63 of the flexible structure 6. The limiting piece 5 is arranged to limit the convex part 311 of the first piece 31 within the ball socket 321 of the second piece 32, so that the first piece 31 cannot be separated from the second piece 32, and the movable connection between the first piece 31 and the second piece 32 is more stable.

[0040] In some embodiments, the limiting piece 5 includes a first nut 51 and a second nut 52, which are threadedly connected with the piston rod 1. The second nut 52 is threadedly connected with the piston rod 1 and is located on the side of the first nut 51 away from the first piece 31. The arrangement of the first nut 51 and the second nut 52 can prevent loosening, so as to avoid the separation of the flexible structure 6 from the first piece 31, which leads to the separation of the piston rod 1 from the fixed frame 2.

[0041] In other embodiments, the limiting piece 5 can also be a limiting pin, which is arranged on the flexible structure 6 or the piston rod 1 to avoid the separation of the flexible structure 6 or the piston rod 1 from the first piece 31.

[0042] In some embodiments, the flexible structure 6 can be provided with a plurality of slots, which can have different directions to increase the flexibility of the piston rod 1 in any direction. For example, the flexible structure 6 is provided with a first slot 61 and a second slot 62, the extension directions of the first slot 61 and the second slot 62 are perpendicular to the axial direction of the piston rod 1, and the first slot 61 and the second slot 62 are respectively located on the opposite first side and second side of the piston rod 1. The cross-sectional shape of the first slot 61 and the second slot 62 can be a transverse T shape. The part of the flexible structure 6 provided with the slots has a smaller cross-sectional area and is more prone to deformation, which can release the stress brought by the shaking of the Z-axis 7 to the piston rod 1, improve the degree of freedom of the piston rod 1, and facilitate the smooth movement of the Z-axis 7.

[0043] In other embodiments, the flexible structure 6 can not be provided with slots, but the flexible structure 6 itself can deform to a certain extent to improve the degree of freedom of the piston rod 1 relative to the fixed frame 2, so that the Z-axis 7 moves along the piston rod 1 more smoothly.

[0044] In some embodiments, the piston rod 1 can also be connected with an adapter 10. The adapter 10 is located between the flexible structure 6 and the piston rod 1, and can connect the two. In addition, the adapter 10 is provided with a through hole communicating with the internal chamber of the piston rod 1, and is used for connecting the piston rod 1, the cylinder and the gas path control system. By controlling the gas pressure, the weight of the Z-axis 7 can be balanced by the cylinder, so as to improve the stability of the Z-axis 7 during movement.

[0045] An embodiment of the three-coordinate measuring machine is described below.

[0046] As shown in Figures 4-5 , the three-coordinate measuring machine comprises a probe 8, a motion system and a marble platform. The probe 8 is arranged at the bottom of the Z-axis 7. The motion system comprises X-axis driving structure, Y-axis driving structure and Z-axis driving structure 9 which are perpendicular to each other, and controls the movement of the probe 8 and the marble platform in X direction, Y direction and Z direction respectively. The working process of the three-coordinate measuring machine is as follows: the workpiece to be measured is placed on the platform, the motion system of the three-coordinate measuring machine drives the probe 8 to move until it contacts the workpiece, then the position of the contact point when the probe 8 contacts the workpiece is recorded, and the measurement of the workpiece is realized.

[0047] As shown in Figure 6 , the Z-axis driving structure 9 of the three-coordinate measuring machine can comprise a transmission belt 91, a clip 92, a fixed pulley 93 and a driving wheel 94. The Z-axis 7 and the transmission belt 91 can be fixedly connected through the clip 92. The fixed pulley 93 is arranged on the fixed frame 2. The driving wheel 94 is used to drive the transmission belt 91 to rotate, and in turn drives the Z-axis 7 to move along the piston rod 1 in the vertical direction. The first end of the piston rod 1 of the three-coordinate measuring machine is connected with the Z-axis 7, and the second end is installed with the fixed frame 2 through the Z-axis flexible mounting structure in any of the above embodiments, which will not be described here.

[0048] The above application of specific examples to the utility model is described, which is only used to help understand the utility model, and does not limit the utility model. For the skilled in the art to which the utility model belongs, according to the idea of the utility model, a number of simple deductions, deformations or substitutions can be made.

Claims

1. A Z-axis flexible mounting structure for a coordinate measuring machine, characterized by, The Z-axis flexible mounting structure comprises: a piston rod, a first end of the piston rod being used for connecting with a cylinder of the Z-axis; a fixing frame, a second end of the piston rod being connected with the fixing frame; a ball socket assembly, the ball socket assembly comprising a first piece and a second piece, the first piece being connected with the second end of the piston rod, the second piece being arranged on the fixing frame, one of the first piece and the second piece being arranged with a convex part, the other being arranged with a ball socket, the convex part being supported on an inner wall of the ball socket, so that the piston rod can swing relative to the fixing frame.

2. The Z-axis flexible mounting structure of claim 1, wherein The first piece is arranged with the convex part, the second piece is arranged on the fixing frame and is arranged with the ball socket, the ball socket penetrates through the second piece, the piston rod is located inside the ball socket and the convex part of the first piece is supported on the inner wall of the ball socket.

3. The Z-axis flexible mounting structure of claim 2, wherein, The second piece can rotate in a plane perpendicular to the piston rod relative to the fixing frame.

4. The Z-axis flexible mounting structure according to claim 3, wherein The Z-axis flexible mounting structure comprises a plane bearing arranged between the fixing frame and the second piece, the plane bearing comprising a first rotating disc, a rolling piece and a second rotating disc, the rolling piece being located between the first rotating disc and the second rotating disc, so that the first rotating disc can rotate relative to the second rotating disc.

5. The Z-axis flexible mounting structure of claim 4, wherein, The Z-axis flexible mounting structure comprises a limiting piece, the limiting piece being located on a side of the first piece away from the second piece and being fixedly connected with the piston rod, so as to limit the convex part of the first piece inside the ball socket of the second piece.

6. The Z-axis flexible mounting structure of claim 5, wherein, The limiting piece comprises a first nut and a second nut, the first nut being threadedly connected with the piston rod, the second nut being threadedly connected with the piston rod and being located on a side of the first nut away from the first piece.

7. The Z-axis flexible mounting structure of claim 1, wherein The Z-axis flexible mounting structure comprises a flexible structure, the flexible structure being connected between the fixing frame and the second end of the piston rod, the first piece being connected with the piston rod through the flexible structure, the flexible structure being used for flexibly connecting the piston rod with the fixing frame.

8. The Z-axis flexible mounting structure of claim 7, wherein, The flexible structure is arranged with a first groove and a second groove, the first groove and the second groove extending in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the piston rod, and the first groove and the second groove being respectively located on opposite first and second sides of the piston rod.

9. The Z-axis flexible mounting structure of claim 8, wherein, The first groove and the second groove are in a cross-sectional shape of a transversely arranged T.

10. A three-coordinate measuring machine, characterized in that The piston rod and the fixing frame of the three-coordinate measuring machine are mounted through the Z-axis flexible mounting structure according to any one of claims 1-9.

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